Conophytum velutinum subsp. velutinum

This photo shows a dry seed capsule of Conophytum velutinum subsp. velutinum with its five locules. There are no covering membranes or closing bodies over the seed below the valves of the capsule in the case of plants of the Conophytum genus. Conophytum seeds are generally small and pear-shaped.

The leaves are wrinkled here, although still green. When they are completely dry, they serve as protective coverings for the next leaf-pairs to grow with the winter rain.

C. velutinum has two recognised subspecies, viz. C. velutinum subsp. velutinum and subsp. polyandrum, both growing only near Kommaggas in Namaqualand (Smith, et al, 1998; iSpot).